4 role of the brain in mental processes and behaviour Flashcards
Brain vs heart debate (explain)
the issue of whether the brain or the heart was the source of human thoughts, feelings and behaviour
Mind-body problem (explain)
the question of whether our mind and body are distinct, separate entities or whether they are the one
Phrenology - main issues
a theory linking specific abilities to specific areas of the brain (especially bumps and hollows in the skull surface)
main issues:
- exterior of the brain is NOT used to understand personality traits
- cortical map does not link up with the correct brain functions
Brain ablation and lesioning experiments
Brain ablation: the destruction or removal of part of a brain
Brain lesioning: disrupting or damaging the normal structure or function of part of the brain
Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)
Uses an electrode to stimulate a specific area of the brain to assess what function that area controls or is involved in
Split-brain experiments - process & effects
Severing the corpus callosum to disconnect the cerebral hemispheres
Effects:
- speech problems; production (apraxia) & comprehension (aphasia)
Nervous System - main function
Controls and coordinates all body activities:
- receives and interprets sensory input from the environment and within the body
- initiates a response
Neuroimaging techniques: Structural and functional
Neuroimaging: a technique that captures a picture of the brain
Strucutural neuroimaging:
1. MRI — uses magnetic fields to vibrate atoms in the brain’s neurons to generate a computer image of the brain
2. CT — uses x-ray to scan the brain at different angles to build a picture of the brain
Functional neuroimaging:
1. PET — produces 2D/3D colour images showing brain structure, activity and function
2. fMRI — measures oxygen consumption across the brain to detect and produce images of brain activity
Role of the hindbrain
Cerebellum (ballerina): coordinates fine muscle movements and regulates posture and balance; also involved in learning and memory
Medulla: (continuation of spinal cord –> brain) controls vital bodily functions required for survival
Pons: involved in sleep, dreaming, arousal from sleep and control of breathing and coordination of some muscle movements
Role of the midbrain
Reticular formation:
- screens incoming information
- alerts higher brain centres to important information
- maintains consciousness
- regulates arousal and muscle tone
Role of the forebrain
Hypothalamus: maintains the body’s internal environment by regulating release of hormones
Thalamus: relay station in the brain for incoming sensory information
Cerebrum: controls muscle functions, speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing and learning.
Role of the cerebral cortex
Function: out layer of the brain involved in complex mental abilities, sensory processing and voluntary movements
Hemispheric specialisation - left and right
Concept that one hemisphere has dominance over a particular function
Left specialisation:
- sensory & motor functions of the right side of the body
- verbal tasks
- analysis
Right specialisation:
- sensory & motor functions of the left side of the body
- spatial thinking & visual thinking
- creativity
Frontal lobe
Location: upper forward half
Function:
- motor control
- problem solving
Broca’s area: clear and fluent speech production
Primary motor cortex: generates signals to direct body movements
Parietal lobe
Location: upper back
Function:
- touch perception
- body orientation & sensory discrimination
